Navy Helicopter Crashes in Red Sea, No Missiles Involved, 2 Men Still Missing

Three members of the chopper crew have been located and they are stable

A United States Navy Helicopter has crashed in the Red Sea on Sunday, September 22. The MH-60S Knighthawk went down in the central part of the Red Sea during a mission related to the Syrian war.

According to the Daily Mail, the helicopter was stationed on the USS William P. Lawrence destroyer. It went down either after taking off or upon landing on the warship.

Five members of the crew were reported missing on Sunday, but three of them were found since then. Navy officials have released a statement specifying that the three crewmen are now in stable condition.

A search is ongoing for two more members of the team who have been missing since yesterday.

“Three personnel are accounted for and stable. Search efforts continue for two remaining personnel,” the US Navy statement reads.

Sky News adds that the Carrier Strike Group Eleven has sent out boats and planes to aid with the rescue effort. The Nimitz aircraft carrier is the group's flagship.

This is the first time that the MH-60S Knighthawk has been deployed overseas, reports say. A US Navy source clarifies that it has not been stricken by hostile missiles.

“The crash was not due to any sort of hostile activity. The incident is under investigation,” the official states.

The USS William P. Lawrence Facebook page has been flooded with supportive comments for the staff.

“I pray that everyone is found safe and sound. And all is well. Hurry home we miss you all very much,” Janette Carter Green writes.

“Been thinking of you all nonstop since the news broke. I know you all must be tired and so ready to come home. [...] Important to take care of yourselves under this tremendous stress so everyone can return safely,” Jessica McKelvey Williams posts.